Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Easy Mujadara Recipe: A comforting, protein-packed dinner ready in 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly tender lentils and fluffy rice. The crispy onions make this dish irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Refreshing Lemon Ginger Wellness Water Recipe for Summer and Fresh Apple Tortellini Salad with Strawberries and Greens.
Why This Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Protein-packed and satisfying
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Yogurt or tahini, for serving
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils to remove any debris.
- onion: Thinly slicing the onion helps it cook evenly and crisp up.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks lentils perfectly every time. → See on Amazon
- Good quality non-stick skillet — Prevents onions from sticking and burning. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
- Sauté onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy.
- Cook lentils: Add minced garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook rice: While lentils cook, rinse rice and cook according to package instructions. Once done, fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Combine and serve: Once lentils are tender, stir in cooked rice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook lentils. They become mushy. If they're not tender after 25 minutes, add more broth and cook longer.
- Substitution: You can use red lentils, but they'll break down more and the dish will be thicker.
- Make-ahead: Lentils and rice can be cooked ahead of time and stored separately. Combine and reheat before serving.
Storing & Reheating Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Lentils and rice can be cooked ahead of time and stored separately.
Freezing Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Adding a pinch of baking soda to the lentils can help soften them.
- Best substitution: You can use quinoa instead of rice for a gluten-free option.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If lentils are still hard after 25 minutes, add more broth and cook longer.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality vegetable broth — Adds depth of flavor to the dish. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
Seasonings
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
- Yogurt or tahini, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy.
- Cook lentils: Add minced garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook rice: While lentils cook, rinse rice and cook according to package instructions. Once done, fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Combine and serve: Once lentils are tender, stir in cooked rice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: Adding a pinch of baking soda to the lentils can help soften them.
- Best substitution: You can use quinoa instead of rice for a gluten-free option.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If lentils are still hard after 25 minutes, add more broth and cook longer.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Lentils and rice can be cooked ahead of time and stored separately.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, lentils and rice can be cooked ahead of time and stored separately. Combine and reheat before serving.
They may not have been cooked long enough. Add more broth and cook longer.
Yes, but they'll break down more and the dish will be thicker.
Try serving with a side of Fresh Apple Tortellini Salad with Strawberries and Greens or Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw.
Yes, cook lentils according to Instant Pot instructions, then proceed with the recipe as written.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
